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(No Model.)

J. W. HYATT. ART OF MANUFACTURING OELLULOIDAND OTHER COMPOUNDS 0]? PYROXYLINB.

No. 296,967. Patented Apr. 15, 1884.

WITNESSSS: yINVENTOR a I 9' f z 7 I Y Q ATTORNEY r1. PHERS PhonrLithognpMn Wnhlnglun. n. a

NITED STATES ATENT rrrca.

J OHN W. HYATT, OF NENVARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE GELLULOID MANUFACTURING, COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ART OF MANUFACTURING CELLULOID AND OTHER COMPOUNDS OF PYROXYLINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,967, dated April 15, 1884.

Application filed February 11, 1884. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. HYA'IT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Art of Manufacturing Celluloid and other Compounds of Pyroxyline, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has relation to improvements in the art of manufacturing the material known as celluloid and other compounds of pyroxyline; and has for its'object the treatment of the pyroxyline pulp or the compound pulp mentioned in Letters Patent of the United States granted to Isaiah S. Hyatt and myself for improved method of treating and molding pyroxyline, July 12, 1870, and numbered 105,338, the object being to effect the displacement of the aqueous particles prior to the pulp being subjected to the action of the mixing-rollers or analogous devices for purposes of conversion. It has been found to be desirable after the nitrocellulose has been formed to effect its comminution by grinding it while containing a small quantity of water until it is reduced to a fine pulp, the employment of the water being desirable to prevent the ignition of the nitrocellulose. After the grinding has taken place, it is necessary to desiccate the pulp,without which a satisfactory result cannot be accomplished. The desiccation or removal of the aqueous particles from the pulp I accomplish by an improved process, whereby the aqueous particles are displaced by means of particles of alcohol or other suitable liquid which are caused to occupy the places filled by the aqueous particles, the aqueous par- ,ticles being expelled and discarded, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawing a machine is shown which may be utilized in practicing the invention. It consists of a press of any convenient construction. In the present instance a screw, A, is used, which may be operated to actuate the plunger B, which fits in the receptacle 0, provided with the outlet D.. The damp pulp will be placed in the cylinder, a piece of wire-cloth, E, having above it a piece of linen, H, being used for the purpose of preventing the escape of the pulp. The pulp having beenintroducedinto the receptacle, a suitable quantity of alcohol is introduced, which" covers the upper surface of the pulp, as indicated by the letterKin the drawing. Power being applied, the plunger is caused to descend into the receptacle,compressing the material, forcing the aqueous particles down through the linen and wire-cloth, and out of the receptacle through the escape provided for the purpose, the particles of alcohol being made to follow the aqueous particles and cocupy their places. This apparatus is one by means of which the invention may be practiced; but other means of effecting the desired end will suggest themselves to persons having a knowledge of the art.

In using the term alcohol it is not to be understood that the invention is to be confined to alcohol, as other suitable liquids may be employed with good results. I have mentioned alcohol because it appears to me to possess advantages, and because its introduction into the material is desirable, as facilitating the further treatment of the pulp for purposes of conversion.

Among the liquids which may be successfully used may be mentioned concentrated sulphuric ether, which has the advantage of having no affinity for water, and of being readily 8o absorbed by the pyroxyline.

\Vhile I do not limit myself to any particular liquid, I prefer to make use of one which, after it has been used as a means of displacing the aqueous particles, can be afterward utilized as a solvent,or to assist the solvent action of another ingredient.

What I claim as my invention,-and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The process herein described of rcmovo ing aqueous particles from pyroxyline pulp, which consists in effecting the displacement of the aqueous particles by means of pressure applied to a suitable liquid,whereby the aqueous particles are caused to leave the pulp,their 9 5 places being occupied by the unobjectionable liquid particles, substantially as set forth.

2. The process herein described of removing aqueous particles from pyroxyline pulp and loading the pulp with alcohol or other suitable liquid, which consists in subjecting I the displacement of the aqueous particles by the pulp containing the aqueous particles to pressure, in connection with the alcohol or other suitable liquid, a means of escape for 5 the aqueous particles being provided, whereby the particles of alcohol or other suitable liquid are made to take the place of the aqueous particles, substantially as set forth.

3. The process herein described of treating 1o pyroX-yline pulp, which consists in effecting means of a liquid which can afterward be utilized as a solvent, substantially as described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 19th day I 5 of January, A. D. 1884.

JOHN W. HYA'IT. \Vitnesses:

CHAS. O. GILL, HERMAN GUsTow. 

